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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SUC medical schools could benefit greatly from P1-B budget bump--Libanan

SUC medical schools could benefit greatly from P1-B budget bump--Libanan

Published Jul 28, 2026 07:30 pm


With the brand new budget season just around the corner, a ranking solon is aggressively pushing for an additional P1 billion budget for the development of medical schools in state universities and colleges (SUCs).
According to House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan, the fund augmentation would enable the country to produce more doctors and help ease the persistent shortage of physicians, particularly in underserved communities.
"We are pushing for an allocation of at least another P1 billion for the Seed Fund for the Development of Medical Schools in SUCs in the proposed 2027 national budget," Libanan said.
"We want to fast-track the development of medical schools in SUCs so that the country can produce more physicians in the years ahead and improve public access to healthcare, especially in communities where doctors remain in very short supply," he added.
Libanan stressed that "easier access to doctors is essential to strengthening public health".
Congress created the Seed Fund for the Development of Medical Schools in SUCs through the 2021 national budget with an initial allocation of P150 million.
Since then, the fund—provided as a line item under the annual budget of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd)—has received P250 million in 2022, P250 million in 2023, P275 million in 2024, P150 million in 2025, and P440 million in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget.
The seed fund supports medical schools in SUCs by helping them boost instructional capacity, acquire teaching resources, upgrade libraries, and establish advanced laboratory facilities.
Libanan says the number of SUCs operating medical schools has increased from 25 to 30.
Last month, CHEd authorized five additional SUCs to offer the first and second-year levels of their Doctor of Medicine programs beginning in academic year 2026-2027.
These are Eastern Samar State University, Visayas State University, University of Eastern Philippines, Benguet State University, and Cotabato State University.
A lawyer by profession, Libanan also holds a degree in medical technology and has long advocated expanding access to state-subsidized medical education.
He is the principal author of a House-approved bill seeking to institutionalize the Eastern Samar State University College of Medicine in Borongan City.
Libanan also authored a separate bill proposing the establishment of a Local Health Record System to improve the continuity, coordination, and quality of healthcare services nationwide.
Under the proposal, every Filipino seeking care at a barangay health station, rural health unit, or other primary care facility would have a comprehensive, secure, and accessible electronic health record.

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